CN111372856B

CN111372856B - PTP sheet holding device

Info

Publication number: CN111372856B
Application number: CN201880075476.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 水野博文
Original assignee: CKD Corp
Current assignee: CKD Corp
Priority date: 2017-11-29
Filing date: 2018-08-01
Publication date: 2022-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-01
Also published as: KR20200087126A; WO2019106885A1; CN111372856A; KR102401015B1; JP2019099286A; JP6914177B2

Abstract

Provided is a PTP sheet wrapping device, wherein when a PTP sheet is in a wrapping state of a pair of two, the PTP sheet can be appropriately transferred. The PTP sheet wrapping device comprises a retainer (a pair of retaining pieces (36L, 36R)) which retains two PTP sheets (1) in a predetermined relative position relationship and is provided so as to be displaceable in the tunnel width direction, and is configured so as to be able to adjust the position of the retainer in the tunnel width direction, in such a manner that: corresponding to PTP sheets (1) and the like which are passed between the reversing device and the holder and between the holder and the chuck conveying mechanism, the longitudinal middle parts of the PTP sheets (1) and the like are positioned on a central line (C0) at the middle part in the channel width direction.

Description

PTP sheet holding device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a PTP sheet wrapping device that wraps PTP sheets, each of which has a pocket portion for receiving the contents of a tablet or the like, in a pair of two.

Background

PTP (press through pack) sheets are known as blister sheets generally used in the field of pharmaceuticals and the like.

The PTP sheet is composed of a container film in which a bag portion filled with the tablet is formed, and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal an opening side of the bag portion.

The PTP sheet is manufactured by the following steps and the like, including: a step of forming the bag portion while conveying the long container film; filling the bag with a tablet or the like; a step of attaching a cover film to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the bag portion; and a step of pressing the PTP sheet units.

Next, the PTP sheets manufactured in this manner are put in a one-by-one state of being wrapped so that the surfaces having the pocket portions face each other, and then are stacked in a predetermined number of groups, and then are sent to a packaging step such as pillow packaging or bundling with a tape (see, for example, patent document 1).

Further, when the PTP sheets are in a state of being clasped in a pair of two, the PTP sheets must be clasped in a state in which the positions of the bag portions are shifted by a predetermined amount so that the bag portions of the two PTP sheets do not collide with each other.

Thus, in patent document 1, the following structure is formed, which includes: a reversing mechanism (reversing device 12) that reverses the inner and outer surfaces of the PTP pieces every 1; a holding mechanism (holding mechanism 33) for holding PTP sheets sequentially transferred from the reversing mechanism in 2 layers above and below; and a clamp conveying mechanism (chuck conveying mechanism 35) for conveying the upper and lower PTP sheets held by the holding mechanism to the next step while bringing the PTP sheets into a clamped state by sequentially transferring the PTP sheets to the respective mechanisms provided along a predetermined sheet conveying route.

With this arrangement, in patent document 1, the PTP sheet with ear is wrapped in such a manner that: in this PTP sheet, the ears are provided at one end in the sheet longitudinal direction, and the ears have ear portions (tag portions) indicating a manufacturing number, a valid period, and the like. Therefore, the two PTP sheet sets in the clasped state are in a state that the displacement of the longitudinal end edge parts is not generated or is extremely small.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: JP 2001-310814 publication

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the conventional technique of patent document 1 has a risk that, for example, PTP sheets without ears having no ears cannot cope with product models of PTP sheets in which the amount of displacement of the longitudinal end edges of the sheets is large when the PTP sheets are in a clasped state.

In general, in the case of a PTP sheet with ears, when the PTP sheet is held and held by each mechanism in a state in which the position of the vertically intermediate portion is aligned with the center line of the sheet conveying line with the vertically intermediate portion as a reference, the PTP sheet can be smoothly transferred between the mechanisms.

In contrast, for example, in the reversing mechanism of patent document 1, even when the inner and outer surfaces of the vertical intermediate portion of the PTP sheet without ears are reversed every 1 piece, the positions of the bag portions of the upper and lower PTP sheets without ears in the clasped state cannot be shifted.

For example, in the reversing mechanism of patent document 1, since the upper sheet holding portion (the pair of slits 31) and the lower sheet holding portion (the pair of slits 32) that support the longitudinal end edge portions of the PTP sheet are at the same position in the lateral direction of the sheet conveying line, it is difficult to hold the upper and lower two PTP sheets without lugs in a state of being largely shifted in the sheet longitudinal direction.

Even in the case where the holding mechanism has a structure in which the upper and lower PTP pieces without lugs are held in a state in which the positions of the upper and lower piece holding portions in the sheet conveying path width direction are different and the pieces are largely displaced in the sheet longitudinal direction, when the position of the widthwise intermediate portion of the holding mechanism (the upper and lower piece holding portions) is set so as to be aligned with the center line, although the transfer of the PTP pieces from the holding mechanism to the embracing conveying mechanism (the two PTP piece groups in the embracing state) is appropriately performed, there is a possibility that the transfer of the PTP pieces from the reversing mechanism to the holding mechanism is difficult.

On the other hand, in the case where the holding mechanism is provided so that the widthwise intermediate portion of one of the upper and lower two piece holding portions is aligned with the center line, there is a possibility that the PTP pieces are difficult to be transferred from the reversing mechanism to the other piece holding portion, and the PTP pieces (the two PTP piece groups in the clasped state) cannot be appropriately transferred from the holding mechanism to the clasping and conveying mechanism.

In this case, since the clasping and conveying mechanism grips the position away from the vertical direction intermediate portion of the two PTP plate groups in the clasped state, there is a risk that the posture of the PTP plate groups is easily broken and the subsequent steps are hindered when the PTP plate groups are handed over to the mechanism on the downstream side during conveyance.

The above-described problem is not limited to the case where the PTP sheets without ears are in the wrapped state, but may occur in the case where the PTP sheets with ears are wrapped so that the orientation of the ears is the same as the orientation in the sheet longitudinal direction, and the amount of displacement of the edge portions in the sheet longitudinal direction is large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a PTP sheet wrapping device capable of appropriately performing transfer of PTP sheets when PTP sheets are in a wrapped state of a pair of PTP sheets.

Means for solving the problems

In the following, each technical means suitable for solving the above-described problems will be described in stages. In addition, according to needs, a special action effect is added behind the corresponding technical scheme.

Technical solution 1 relates to a PTP looping apparatus that puts PTP sheets having bag portions that receive contents in a looping state of a set of two, characterized by comprising:

a transfer mechanism that can transfer the PTP slice in a state in which the PTP slice is in a predetermined direction (for example, a vertical direction) along a line width direction of a predetermined slice transport line;

a holding mechanism having: a pair of lower sheet holding portions provided in the line width direction so as to hold end edge portions in the predetermined direction of the first PTP sheet with the bag portion facing upward; a pair of upper-sheet holding portions which are provided in the line width direction so as to hold end edge portions in the predetermined direction of a second PTP sheet in a state in which the bag portion faces downward, the holding mechanism being provided so as to be displaceable in the line transverse direction while holding the first PTP sheet and the second PTP sheet in a predetermined relative positional relationship;

a receiving unit configured to receive the first PTP piece and the second PTP piece held by the holding unit in a state where the two PTP pieces are clasped;

and a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction in accordance with an object to be transferred between the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism or between the holding mechanism and the receiving mechanism.

The "wrapped state" referred to herein means a state in which the two PTP sheets are arranged so that the surfaces having the bag portions face each other, and are overlapped in a positional relationship (positions are shifted from each other by a predetermined dimension) in which the bag portions do not collide with each other. Thus, the pocket portion of the other PTP sheet enters the space between the pocket portions of the one PTP sheet. That is, by bringing the two PTP pieces into the wrapped state, the height of the two PTP piece groups in the wrapped state is suppressed to a low level, and further, the height of the predetermined number of groups and the overlapped group is suppressed to a low level, and thus, the PTP pieces can be compactly combined.

According to claim 1, the apparatus is configured to include holding means for holding the two PTP pieces in a predetermined relative positional relationship and being provided so as to be displaceable in the lateral direction of the line, and position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the holding means in the width direction of the line in accordance with an object to be transferred between the transferring means and the holding means or between the holding means and the receiving means.

For example, when the "first PTP piece with the bag portion facing upward" is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism, the position of the holding mechanism is adjusted to a position where the "first PTP piece" can be received in the lower piece holding portion.

Similarly, when the "second PTP piece with the bag portion facing downward" is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism, the position of the holding mechanism is adjusted to a position where the "second PTP piece" can be received in the upper piece holding portion.

When the "upper and lower PTP pieces in the clasped state" are transferred from the holding mechanism to the receiving mechanism, the position of the holding mechanism is adjusted to a position such as an appropriate position at which the receiving mechanism can hold the "upper and lower PTP pieces".

Thus, for example, when the PTP pieces are held in the wrapped state, such as PTP pieces without ears, PTP pieces of product models having a large amount of displacement of the edge portions in the sheet setting direction can be held, and transfer of PTP pieces from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism and transfer of PTP pieces from the holding mechanism to the receiving mechanism can be appropriately performed.

A PTP cohesion device according to claim 2 to claim 1, wherein the transfer mechanism is configured in such a manner that: a PTP slice that can be handed over in a state in which an intermediate portion (for example, a longitudinal intermediate portion) in the predetermined direction of the PTP slice is positioned at an intermediate portion (for example, a center line) in the line width direction of the slice transport line;

the position adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction, in such a manner that: an intermediate portion of the object in the predetermined direction is positioned at an intermediate portion in a line width direction of the sheet transport line in accordance with the object transferred between the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism or between the holding mechanism and the receiving mechanism.

According to claim 2, for example, when the "first PTP slice in the state in which the bag portion faces upward" is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism, the position of the holding mechanism is adjusted so that the intermediate portions in the line width direction of the pair of lower slice holding portions are positioned at the intermediate portions in the line width direction of the slice conveying line (the intermediate portions in the predetermined direction of the "first PTP slice" transferred from the transfer mechanism).

Similarly, when the "second PTP slice with the bag portion facing downward" is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism, the position of the holding mechanism is adjusted so that the intermediate portions in the line width direction of the pair of upper slice holding portions are positioned at the intermediate portions in the line transverse direction of the slice conveying line (the intermediate portions in the predetermined direction of the "second PTP slice" transferred from the transfer mechanism).

Further, when the "two PTP pieces in the looped state" are transferred from the holding mechanism to the receiving mechanism, the receiving mechanism can receive the position of the intermediate portion in the predetermined direction of the "two PTP pieces" at the intermediate portion in the line width direction of the piece conveying line, and perform the position adjustment of the holding mechanism.

Thus, even in the case of a PTP sheet of a product type in which the displacement amount of the sheet predetermined direction edge portion is large when the PTP sheet is in the wrapped state, such as a PTP sheet without ears, for example, the PTP sheet can be smoothly transferred between the respective mechanisms by holding or holding the PTP sheet at the transfer mechanism, the holding mechanism, and the receiving mechanism with the predetermined direction intermediate portion as a reference in a state of being aligned with the intermediate portion (center line) in the line width direction of the sheet conveying line.

Technical means 3 relates to a PTP clasping apparatus that puts PTP sheets having bag portions for receiving contents in a clasped state of a set of two, characterized by comprising:

a transfer mechanism for transferring the PTP slice in a state where a central portion (for example, an intermediate portion in a slice longitudinal direction) of the PTP slice in a predetermined direction is positioned at an intermediate portion (for example, a center line) in a line width direction of a predetermined slice conveying line;

a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction;

the position adjusting mechanism may perform the following control,

a first position alignment control of aligning a position of an intermediate portion in the line width direction between the pair of lower sheet holding portions with an intermediate portion in the line width direction of the sheet conveying line when the first PTP sheet is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism;

a second position alignment control of aligning a position of an intermediate portion in the line width direction between the pair of upper sheet holding portions with an intermediate portion in the line width direction of the sheet conveying line when the second PTP sheet is transferred from the transfer mechanism to the holding mechanism;

and a 3 rd alignment control of aligning the position of the intermediate portion in the predetermined direction of the PTP pieces of the two sets of PTP pieces with the intermediate portion in the line width direction of the sheet conveying line when the PTP pieces of the two sets of PTP pieces composed of the first PTP piece and the second PTP piece are received from the holding mechanism to the receiving mechanism in the 3 rd alignment control.

According to claim 3, the same effects as those of the above-described

embodiments

1 and 2 are achieved.

A PTP cohesion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of the sheet transport lines are provided in parallel in the line width direction;

providing the transfer mechanism, the holding mechanism, and the receiving mechanism on respective ones of the plurality of sheet conveying lines;

the position adjusting mechanism is configured to be capable of adjusting the positions of the plurality of holding mechanisms of the plurality of sheet transport lines at the same time.

According to claim 4, productivity can be improved and control thereof can be simplified by providing a plurality of conveyance lines.

A PTP clasping device according to claim 5 is the PTP clasping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the PTP sheet, a distance from one of both end edge portions in the predetermined direction to the bag portion that is the shortest distance in the predetermined direction is substantially the same as a distance from the other end edge portion to the bag portion that is the shortest distance in the predetermined direction.

According to claim 5, since the PTP sheet without ears constitutes the work target, the operational effects of claims 1 to 4 are more effectively achieved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing a PTP sheet, and FIG. 1 (b) is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the PTP sheet;

fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view showing a PTP sheet group in a clasped state, and fig. 2 (b) is a plan view showing the PTP sheet group in the clasped state;

FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a partial structure of the pooling device;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, showing the inverting apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional top view showing the inverting apparatus;

fig. 6 is a partial perspective view for explaining a reversing mechanism of the reversing device;

fig. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the retainer;

FIG. 8 (a) is a partial side view showing a holding piece in a state where a PTP sheet is not held, and FIG. 8 (b) is a partial side view showing a holding piece in a state where a PTP sheet is held;

FIG. 9 is a front view, partially in section, showing the cage and the cage drive mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a side schematic view showing the general structure of a clasping apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a front view, partially in section, showing a sheet setting section and a setting section drive mechanism;

fig. 12 is a side view showing the chuck transport mechanism;

fig. 13 is a schematic view for explaining a cam and a cam follower and the like;

fig. 14 is a schematic view for explaining the profile of the cam and the actions of various levers and the like;

fig. 15 (a) is a schematic front view showing the holder positioned at the first position, and fig. 15 (b) is a schematic top view showing the PTP plate held by the holder;

fig. 16 (a) is a schematic front view showing the holder positioned at the second position, and fig. 16 (b) is a schematic top view showing two PTP plates held by the holder;

fig. 17 (a) is a schematic front view showing the holder positioned at the 3 rd position, and fig. 17 (b) is a schematic top view showing two PTP plates held by the holder;

fig. 18 is a schematic front view for explaining a gripping action of the chuck device;

fig. 19 is a schematic front view for explaining an opening operation of the holder;

fig. 20 is a schematic front view for explaining the approach operation of the holder and the transport operation of the chuck device.

Detailed Description

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a PTP slice constituting a work target will be specifically described.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the PTP sheet 1 of the present embodiment includes a container film 3 and a cover film 4, the container film 3 has a plurality of pockets 2, and the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 so as to seal the pockets 2.

The container film 3 of the present embodiment is formed of a transparent thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or the like. On the other hand, the cover film 4 is constituted by an opaque material (e.g., aluminum foil or the like) on the surface of which a sealant formed of, for example, a polypropylene resin or the like is provided.

The PTP sheet 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Two rows of pockets are formed in the transverse direction (short-side direction) thereof, the rows being composed of 5 pockets 2, the 5 pockets being arranged in the longitudinal direction (long-side direction) thereof. That is, a total of 10 bag portions 2 are formed. The tablets 5 are received in each pocket 21 at a time.

In the following description of the PTP slice 1, for convenience, the following description is made based on a coordinate system (the same applies to the

PTP slice groups

1 and 1 described later) in which the horizontal direction of the PTP slice 1 is the "x direction", the vertical direction is the "y direction", and the inward-outward direction is the "z direction".

Further, in the container film 3 of the present embodiment, a plurality of slits 3a for slitting are formed in the sheet transverse direction (x direction) so that the PTP sheet 1 is slit into paired small pieces including two bag portions 2.

The PTP sheet 1 of the present embodiment is a no-ear PTP sheet having substantially the same distance from one of the end edges in the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) to the pocket 2 having the shortest distance from the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) and the same distance from the other end edge to the pocket 2 having the shortest distance from the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction), and having no so-called ear portion.

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by a blister packaging machine (not shown) through the following steps, as in the conventional art: a bag forming step of forming the bag portion 2 on the container film 3; a filling step of filling the bag portion 2 with the tablet 5; a cover film mounting step of mounting a cover film 4 on the container film 3 so as to seal the bag portion 2; a slit forming step of forming a slit 3a for dicing; a pressing step of pressing the sheet-like material.

Next, the PTP sheet 1 manufactured in this manner is put in a one-by-one state of being wrapped (see fig. 2 a and 2 b) so that the outer surfaces (container film 3 sides) having the bag portions 2 face each other in the gathering mechanism 7 (see fig. 3) provided on the downstream side of the blister packaging machine, and then, the PTP sheet is stacked in a predetermined number of groups (for example, 5 groups of 10 sheets) at a time, and then, the PTP sheet is sent to a packaging step such as pillow packaging or tape bundling.

As shown in fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the two PTP sheets 1 in the wrapped state are overlapped in a predetermined relative positional relationship in which the bag portions 2 do not collide, that is, the positions of the bag portions 2 are shifted by a predetermined dimension with respect to the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) and the sheet transverse direction (x direction). In the following, the two PTP slices in the clasped state are "

PTP slice groups

1, 1".

The

PTP sheet groups

1, 1 of the present embodiment are set in advance such that the positions of the vertical (y-direction) end edges of the two PTP sheets 1 in the wrapped state are shifted by a predetermined dimension Δ y, and the positions of the horizontal (x-direction) end edges of the two PTP sheets 1 are shifted by a predetermined dimension Δ x.

The collecting mechanism 7 will be specifically described below. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the general structure of the aggregating mechanism 7. In the following description of the collecting mechanism 7, for convenience, the sheet conveying direction, that is, the front-rear direction of the collecting mechanism 7 (the left-right direction on the paper surface of fig. 3) is defined as the "X direction", the left-right width direction of the collecting mechanism 7 (the front-rear direction on the paper surface of fig. 3) is defined as the "Y direction", and the vertical direction (the up-down direction on the paper surface of fig. 3) is defined as the "Z direction" coordinate system. Obviously, the coordinate system (X, Y, Z) used to describe the PTP slice 1 is a different coordinate system from the coordinate system (X, Y, Z) used to describe the compiling mechanism 7.

In the blister pack machine according to the present embodiment, the discharge portion for discharging the finished PTP pieces 1 is provided in two in the left and right (Y direction) and is configured to discharge two PTP pieces 1.

In response to this, the collecting mechanism 7 has a configuration in which two sheet conveying lines (hereinafter referred to as "conveying sheets") for conveying the PTP sheet 1 are provided on the left and right (Y direction). In the following, the conveyance path on the back side of the sheet in fig. 3 is the "conveyance path 8L", and the conveyance path on the side closer to the sheet is the "conveyance path 8R" (see fig. 9 and the like).

The collecting mechanism 7 is provided with a reversing device 11, a wrapping and conveying device 12, and a stacking device 13 (see fig. 3) on each of the conveying

paths

8L and 8R. The "PTP sheet wrapping device" according to the present embodiment is configured by the "reversing device 11" and the "wrapping and conveying device 12".

The collecting mechanism 7 is provided with a control device (control means) for controlling the reversing device 11, the carrying device 12, the stacking device 13, and the like, although not shown. The control device includes a CPU as arithmetic means, a ROM that stores various programs, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as arithmetic data and input/output data, and the like.

The PTP pieces 1 discharged from the respective discharge portions of the blister packaging machine are sequentially conveyed to the transfer position P1 in a state of being oriented in a certain direction (in the present embodiment, in a state of the bag portion 2 being oriented downward). Further, at the transfer position P1, the sheet is conveyed to the reversing device 11 by 1 piece at a time by the sheet conveying mechanism 10 formed by the claw 10a, the lever 10b, and the like.

The reversing device 11 is a mechanism that receives the PTP pieces 1 at the transfer position P1, and rotationally conveys them to the transfer position P2 while reversing their inner and outer surfaces every 1.

Here, the reversing device 11 will be described with specific reference to fig. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 is a partially sectional side view showing the inverting device 11, fig. 5 is a partially sectional top view showing the inverting device 11, and fig. 6 is a partial perspective view for explaining an inverting mechanism of the inverting device 11.

The two reversing devices 11 provided corresponding to the

respective conveyance paths

8L and 8R have the same configuration and are configured to synchronously perform the same operation. Therefore, in the following, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish between the two, the explanation will be given as 1 inverting apparatus 11.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the reversing device 11 includes a drive shaft 14, and the drive shaft 14 is rotatably supported; and a housing 16, which is attached to the drive shaft 14, and which is supported by the key 15 so as to rotate together with the rotary shaft 14. The drive shaft 14 is connected to an intermittent drive mechanism (not shown) and is intermittently driven at a predetermined angle (90 degrees in the present embodiment) at a time.

A pair of bearing holes 17 are formed in the housing 16, the pair of bearing holes 17 extending in the radial direction of the drive shaft 14. A rotation shaft 18 passes through the inside of the bearing hole 17. The rotary shaft 18 is rotatably supported by the housing 16 via a bearing mechanism. Further, a fixed shaft 19 is vertically fixed to the housing 16 so as to be orthogonal to the rotation shaft 18.

A clamp device 21 as a gripping mechanism for gripping the PTP sheet 1 is attached to the outer ends of the fixed shaft 19 and the rotating shaft 18. That is, the clamp device 21 is constituted by a fixed clamp device 21A serving as a first grip mechanism fixed to the housing 16 and a movable clamp device 21B serving as a second grip mechanism provided on the housing 16 in a rotatable manner.

The holding device 21(21A, 21B) includes a body 22, the body 22 being fixed to the fixed shaft 19 and the rotary shaft 18; a plate-shaped fixing claw 23, the fixing claw 23 being fixed to the body 22; a movable claw 24 provided on the main body 22 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the axis of each of the

shafts

18 and 19; a slide mechanism 25, wherein the slide mechanism 25 is used for sliding the movable claw 24.

Normally, the movable claw 24 is biased toward the fixed claw 23 by a spring or the like provided to the slide mechanism 25. On the other hand, if the predetermined gripping device 21 is in a state of facing the transfer position P1 and the drive shaft 14 is intermittently stopped, the slide mechanism 25 of the gripping device 21 is operated, and the movable claws 24 slide downward against the biasing force of a spring or the like and are separated from the fixed claws 23.

In conjunction with this, if the sheet conveying mechanism 10 (see fig. 3) operates to transfer the PTP sheet 1 to the clamp device 21, the PTP sheet 1 is inserted between the two

claws

23, 24 in a state where the bag portion 2 faces downward.

Further, if the transfer of the PTP piece 1 is completed, the operation of the slide mechanism 25 is stopped, and the movable claws 24 are slid in the upward direction again by the biasing force of the spring or the like. Thereby, the PTP piece 1 is in a state of being gripped between the two

claws

23, 24.

Further, bevel gears 26 are attached to the end portions of the rotary shaft 18 on the housing 16 side. The bevel gear 26 is engaged with a bevel gear 27 (refer to fig. 6), and the bevel gear 27 is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 14. A flat gear 28 is fitted and fixed to the bevel gear 27, and the flat gear 28 rotates together with the bevel gear 27.

The spur gear 28 is connected to a connection mechanism (not shown) having a known brake mechanism, and is stopped and held or rotated at the same speed in the same direction as the drive shaft 14 via the connection mechanism.

Under the above-described conditions, if the drive shaft 14 is intermittently rotated 90 degrees at a time in the clockwise direction of fig. 4 from the state where the holding of the bevel gear 27 and the flat gear 28 is stopped by the connecting mechanism, the housing 16 is also intermittently rotated together therewith. Then, the gripping device 21 is intermittently revolved around the axis of the drive shaft 14.

At this time, the rotary shaft 18 rotates around the axis thereof while revolving around the drive shaft 14 by the action of the bevel gears 27 and 26. Thereby, the movable clamp 21B provided on the rotary shaft 18 also rotates around the axis of the rotary shaft 18.

In the present embodiment, while the housing 16 is rotated 180 degrees around the axis of the drive shaft 14, the movable clamp 21B is rotated 180 degrees around the axis of the rotary shaft 18.

More specifically, if the movable clamp device 21B reaches the transfer position P2 rotated 180 degrees around the axis of the drive shaft 14 from the transfer position P1, the movable clamp device 21B is rotated 180 degrees around the axis of the rotary shaft 18 (see fig. 4 and 5).

Thus, the PTP sheet 1 held by the movable holding device 21B is in a state in which the inner and outer surfaces are not inverted and the bag 2 faces downward, and is in a state in which the orientation in the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) is inverted by 180 degrees.

On the other hand, since the fixed clamp device 21A does not rotate about the axis of the rotary shaft 19, when reaching the transfer position P2, the PTP sheet 1 clamped by it is in a state where the orientation in the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) is not changed, and the inner and outer surfaces are reversed, and the bag portion 2 is directed upward.

With this arrangement, at the transfer position P2, by alternately receiving PTP pieces 1 from the fixed clamp 21A and the movable clamp 21B, PTP pieces 1 whose inside and outside are reversed every 1 can be sequentially received.

Here, the height position at which the PTP sheet 1 held by the fixed clamp device 21A stops when the fixed clamp device 21A stops at the transfer position P2 is set to be different from the height position at which the PTP sheet 1 held by the movable clamp device 21B stops when the movable clamp device 21B stops at the transfer position P2. Specifically, the PTP pieces 1 held by the fixed clamp device 21A are set to stop at a lower position, and the PTP pieces 1 held by the movable clamp device 21B are set to stop at a lower position.

The clasping conveyor 12 will be specifically described below. The two looping transport devices 12 provided corresponding to the

transport paths

8L and 8R have the same configuration and are configured to synchronously perform the same operation. In the following, particularly, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the two, the description will be given as 1 embracing conveyor 12.

The looping transport device 12 is a mechanism that receives PTP sheets 1 that are being handed over while reversing the inside and outside surfaces every 1 at the hand-over position P2, places the PTP sheets in a pair of looping states at the hand-over position P3, and then rotationally transports the PTP sheets to the hand-over position P4.

As shown in fig. 3, the embracing conveyor 12 includes: a holder 33 having holding slits 31, 32 (see fig. 7 etc.) through which the two PTP sheets 1 can be held by the upper and lower 2 layers; a piece setting unit 34 for setting the PTP pieces 1 at predetermined setting positions (transfer positions P3) of the holding slits 31 and 32, respectively; and a chuck transport mechanism 35 for holding the upper and lower PTP sheets 1 held by the holder 33 in a predetermined wrapped state, and rotationally transporting the PTP sheets to the transfer position P4.

Then, the "transfer mechanism" of the present embodiment is mainly constituted by the "reversing device 11" and the "sheet setting unit 34", the "holding mechanism" is constituted by the "holder 33", and the "receiving mechanism" is constituted by the chuck transport mechanism 35.

Here, the retainer 33 will be specifically described with reference to fig. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the holder 33 (a pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R). Fig. 8 (a) is a partial inside view of the holding piece 36L showing a state where the PTP piece 1 is not held, and fig. 8 (b) is a partial inside view of the holding piece 36L showing a state where the PTP piece 1 is held. Fig. 9 is a partially sectional front view showing the holder 33 and a holder driving mechanism 38 for driving the same.

The holder 33 is constituted by a pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R, and the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R are provided so as to face in the passage width direction (Y). The inner surfaces (facing each other) of the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R are provided with an upper holding slit 31 and a lower holding slit 32 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction (Z direction). In the present embodiment, the "upper holding slit 31" corresponds to the "upper passage holding portion", and the "lower holding slit 32" corresponds to the "lower sheet holding portion".

However, in one of the holding pieces 36L, the lower holding slit 32 is formed in the protruding portion 37L, and the upper holding slit 31 is formed in the inner surface normal portion, and the protruding portion 37L is formed in the tunnel conveying direction (X direction) so as to protrude from the side surface normal portion toward the inside in the tunnel width direction (Y direction).

In the other holding piece 36R, the upper holding slit 31 is formed in the projection 37R, and the upper holding slit 32 is formed in the inner normal portion, and the projection 37R is formed in the tunnel conveying direction (X direction) so as to project from the side normal portion toward the inside in the tunnel width direction (Y direction).

Thus, the upper holding slit 31 and the lower sheet holding portion 32 in the holding

pieces

36L and 36R are configured to have different positions in the channel width direction (Y). Specifically, the positions of the end edge portions in the longitudinal direction (y direction) of the two PTP pieces 1 set in the holding slits 31, 32 are set so as to be shifted by the predetermined dimension Δ y (the amount of shift Δ y in the longitudinal direction of the PTP piece groups 1, 1).

The holding slits 31, 32 are configured to be insertable into end edges of the PTP sheet 1 in the longitudinal direction (y direction) and guide the PTP sheet 1 in the sheet conveying direction (X direction). Specifically, the groove shape having a substantially linear cross section in the sheet conveying direction is a C-shape.

However, the holding slits 31 and 32 are formed by partially bending at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the slit. Thus, the PTP piece 1 is restricted from being excessively transferred, and the PTP piece 1 is appropriately set at a predetermined setting position (transfer position P3).

The bent portions formed in the holding slits 31 and 32 are configured to have different positions in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the slit. Specifically, the positions of the end edge portions in the lateral direction (x direction) of the two PTP pieces 1 set in the holding slits 31, 32 are set so as to be shifted by the predetermined dimension Δ x (the amount of shift Δ x in the lateral direction of the PTP piece groups 1, 1).

The entrance sides (left sides in fig. 7 and 8) of the holding slits 31 and 32 are tapered so as to have large openings. This makes it possible to smoothly and reliably guide the PTP sheet 1 pressed by the clamping devices 21(21A, 21B) of the reversing device 11 into the holding slits 31, 32.

The upper holding slit 31 is formed in accordance with the height position at which the PTP sheet 1 held by the movable clamp device 21B stops when the movable clamp device 21B stops at the transfer position P2 (see fig. 3).

On the other hand, the lower holding slit 32 is formed corresponding to the height position at which the PTP sheet 1 held by the movable clamp device 21A stops when the movable clamp device 21A stops at the transfer position P2.

Thereby, the PTP sheet 1 with the bag portion 2 facing downward is guided to the upper holding slit 31, and the PTP sheet 1 with the bag portion 2 facing upward is guided to the lower holding slit 32.

The holder driving mechanism 38 that drives the holder 33 (the holding

pieces

36L, 36R) will be specifically described below. The holder driving mechanism 38 is configured to simultaneously drive the two holders 33 provided corresponding to the

respective conveyance paths

8L and 8R. The "holder drive mechanism 38" constitutes the "position adjustment mechanism" of the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 9, the holder driving mechanism 38 includes a pair of

brackets

41 and 42 vertically fixed while moving up and down, and a support plate 43 connecting the

brackets

41 and 42 to each other.

A servomotor 44L is mounted on one bracket 41. One end side (the left side in the Y direction in fig. 9) of the ball screw 45L is rotatably supported by the servomotor 44L. A threaded portion 46L is formed on the other end side (the right side in the Y direction in fig. 9) of the ball screw 45L. A ball nut 48L is screwed to the screw portion 46L. The ball nut 48L is connected to the holding piece 36L on the conveyance path 8L side, and the holding piece 36L on the conveyance path 8R side is connected via the connecting rod 51L. The link rod 51L is supported slidably in the passage width direction (Y direction).

A servomotor 44R is mounted on the other bracket 42. One end side (the right side in the Y direction in fig. 9) of the ball screw 45R is rotatably supported by the servo motor 44R. On the other end side (left side in the Y direction in fig. 9) of the ball screw shaft 45R, a screw portion 46R is formed. A ball nut 48R is screwed to the screw portion 46R. The ball nut 48R is connected to the holding piece 36R on the conveyance path 8R side, and the holding piece 36R on the conveyance path 8L side is connected via the connecting rod 51R. The connecting rod 51R is supported slidably in the passage width direction (Y direction).

Under the conditions of this embodiment, when the

servo motors

44L and 44R and the ball screws 45L and 45R are driven to rotate in the forward direction, the pair of

ball nuts

48L and 48R move so as to approach each other. Thus, in the

respective conveyance paths

8L, 8R, the paired holding

pieces

36L, 36R move in the direction closing (approaching) each other, and the PTP piece 1 can be held by the holding slits 31, 32 (see fig. 9).

On the other hand, when the

servo motors

44L and 44R are driven to rotate the ball screws 45L and 45R in the reverse direction, the pair of

ball nuts

48L and 48R move away from each other. Thus, in the

respective conveyance paths

8L, 8R, the paired holding

pieces

36L, 36R move in directions to open (separate) each other, and the holding state of the PTP piece 1 can be released.

In the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted: in each of the

conveyance paths

8L and 8R, drive control is performed so that the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in the path width direction (Y direction) while maintaining a predetermined interval. Thus, the positions at which the PTP pieces 1 are received with respect to the holding slits 31, 32 can be adjusted.

Next, the sheet setting unit 34 and the setting unit driving mechanism 50 for driving the same will be described in detail with reference to fig. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a side view schematically showing the general configuration of the embracing conveyor 12. Fig. 11 is a partially broken front view showing the sheet setting unit 34 and the setting unit drive mechanism 50.

The piece setting unit 34 is for pushing out the PTP pieces 1 held at the gripping devices 21(21A, 21B) of the reversing device 11 at the transfer position P2 from the gripping device 21, and setting the PTP pieces 1 at predetermined setting positions (transfer positions P3) of the holding slits 31, 32 for holding the holders 33, respectively.

The setting unit driving mechanism 50 is configured to simultaneously drive the two sheet setting units 34 provided corresponding to the

respective conveyance paths

8L and 8R.

The setting section drive mechanism 50 includes a drive shaft 55, and the drive shaft 55 is rotatably supported by the pair of

wall sections

53 and 54 via a bearing mechanism (reference numeral omitted). A pulley 56 is provided at one end (right end in the Y direction in fig. 11) of the drive shaft 55. Further, the pulley 56 is rotated at a predetermined speed (for example, 200 revolutions per minute) by a predetermined drive mechanism (not shown), and the drive shaft 55 is also rotated at the same speed.

An upper collar 57 is rotatably provided on a portion of the drive shaft 55 sandwiched by the

wall portions

53, 54. A pair of brackets 58 are suspended from the upper collar 57. A lower collar 59 is provided at the bottom end of the bracket 58.

Inside the lower collar 59, a transmission shaft 61 is rotatably provided via a bearing mechanism (reference numeral omitted). A pulley 62 is provided at one end (right end in the Y direction in fig. 11) of the driven shaft 61. Further, the rotation of the pulley 56 on the drive shaft 55 side is transmitted to the pulley 62 via the tension pulley 60. Thereby, the driven shaft 61 can rotate at the same speed as the driving shaft 55.

A block 63 is provided at the other end portion (the left end portion in the Y direction in fig. 11) of the drive shaft 55. A slide shaft 64 is inserted into an insertion hole provided in the front end of the block 63 via a bearing mechanism (reference numeral omitted).

A rod 65 is supported at the tip of the slide shaft 64 via a slide bearing mechanism (reference numeral omitted). The rod 65 is slidable in the vertical direction (Z direction) relative to the slide shaft 64 by the slide bearing mechanism.

The axial center of the slide shaft 64 is eccentric with respect to the axial center of the drive shaft 55. Thus, if the drive shaft 55 rotates, the slide shaft 64 rotates about the axial center of the drive shaft 55, and the lever 65 swings.

On the other hand, an eccentric shaft 66 is provided at the other end portion (left end portion in the Y direction in fig. 11) of the driven shaft 61 at a position eccentric with respect to the axial center thereof. Around the eccentric shaft 66, a block 67 is provided via a bearing mechanism (reference numeral omitted).

The bottom end of the rod 65 is fixed to the block 67. Thus, if the driving shaft 61 rotates, the eccentric shaft 66 rotates about the axial center of the driven shaft 61, and the base end portion of the rod 65 moves.

An arm 68 is fixed to the upper end of the rod 65. The above-described sheet setting portion 34 is provided on the top surface of the arm 68, and the sheet setting portion 34 is used to feed the PTP sheet 1 to the holder 33. The sheet setting unit 34 is constituted by a pair of claw portions 69 which are vertically fixed in a parallel state.

Under the conditions of the above-described configuration, the PTP sheet 1 held by the clamping devices 21(21A, 21B) is transferred to the holding slits 31, 32 of the holder 33 by the predetermined operation of the sheet setting unit 34 (the pair of claw portions 69).

In the present embodiment, the amount of movement (forward-backward stroke) of the tip of the pawl 69 in the forward-backward direction (X direction) is mainly determined based on the amount of eccentricity between the drive shaft 55 and the slide shaft 64, and the amount of movement (vertical stroke) of the tip of the pawl 69 in the vertical direction (Z direction) is mainly determined based on the amount of eccentricity between the driven shaft 61 and the eccentric shaft 66.

In the present embodiment, the operation of the claw portion 69 is configured to be different between the case where the PTP piece 1 is guided to the upper holding slit 31 and the case where the PTP piece 1 is guided to the lower holding slit 32. Specifically, the front and rear strokes of the tip of the claw portion 69 are different.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 10, a rotation shaft 71 that rotates at a speed half that of the drive shaft 55 (for example, 100 revolutions per minute) is separately provided, and a lever 72 that supports the base end portion is provided at a position offset by a slight offset amount H from the axial center of the rotation shaft 71. The front end of the lever 72 is connected to the driven shaft 61.

Here, for example, the eccentricity of the lever 72 (the position of the supporting point of the lever 72 with respect to the axial center of the rotating shaft 71) is set so as to reach the left side in the X direction in fig. 10 when the pawl 69 is located at the forward end (the right end in the X direction in fig. 10) at a predetermined cycle.

In this case, since the pawl 69 performs a rotating (swinging) operation at a speed 2 times that of the rotary shaft 71, the eccentricity of the lever 72 reaches the right side in the X direction in fig. 10 when the pawl 69 reaches the advance end in the next cycle.

That is, a difference of 2 times the eccentric amount H is generated between the forward end position of the pawl 69 in a predetermined cycle and the forward end position of the pawl 69 in the next cycle.

Thus, as shown in fig. 8 (b), the PTP sheet 1 guided to the upper holding slit 31 is transferred and set to the advanced position relative to the PTP sheet 1 guided to the lower holding slit 32. Specifically, as described above, the positions of the end edge portions in the transverse direction (X direction) of the two PTP pieces 1 set in the holding slits 31, 32 are configured to be shifted by the predetermined dimension Δ.

In the present embodiment, the eccentricity of the lever 72 is appropriately adjusted. For example, when the pawl 69 is positioned at the forward end (right end in the X direction in fig. 10) at a predetermined cycle, the eccentricity of the lever 72 is set so as to reach the lower side in fig. 10.

In this case, since the pawl 69 performs a rotating (swinging) operation at a speed 2 times that of the rotary shaft 71, the eccentricity of the lever 72 reaches the upper side of fig. 10 when the pawl 69 reaches the advance end in the next cycle.

That is, the position of the forward end of the pawl 69 for a given cycle is substantially the same as the position of the forward end of the pawl 69 for the next cycle, and there is little difference in the amount of movement.

By appropriately adjusting the eccentricity of the lever 72 in this manner, the relative positional relationship between the upper set position of the PTP piece 1 guided to the upper holding slit 31 and the lower set position of the PTP piece 1 guided to the lower holding slit 32 can be appropriately adjusted according to the need of each time such as the difference in the types of PTP pieces 1.

The chuck transport mechanism 35 will be specifically described below with reference to fig. 12 to 14. Fig. 12 is a side view showing the chuck transport mechanism 35. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of the cam 81, the cam follower 84, and the like, and fig. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the profile of the cam 81, the operation of the

levers

83, 85, and the like.

The chuck transport mechanism 35 is a mechanism for holding the upper and lower PTP pieces 1 set at the set position (transfer position P3) of the holder 33 in the wrapped state and rotationally transporting the

group

1, 1 of PTP pieces in the wrapped state to the transfer position P4.

The two chuck transport mechanisms 35 provided corresponding to the

transport paths

8L and 8R have the same configuration and are configured to synchronously perform the same operation. Therefore, in the following, the description will be given of 1 chuck transport mechanism 35 when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish between the two.

The chuck transport mechanism 35 includes a rotatably supported drive shaft 73 and an index portion 74, and the index portion 74 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drive shaft 73. The drive shaft 73 is connected to an intermittent drive mechanism (not shown) and is configured to be driven intermittently at predetermined angles (e.g., 90 degrees).

4 fixing claws 75 are fixed to the index portion 74, and the 4 fixing claws 75 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 73. Further, a slide holder 76 is fixed to the index portion 74. On the slide holder 76, a movable claw 77 is slidably mounted. The fixed claws 75 and the movable claws 77 constitute a chuck device 78 for holding the PTP sheet 1.

The movable claws 77 are pulled in a direction to close the chuck device 78 (a direction to approach the fixed claws 75) at ordinary times by a tensile force of coil springs 79 provided between themselves and the fixed claws 75.

Further, the chuck transport mechanism 35 is provided with a cam mechanism for appropriately sliding the movable claws 77 in the opening and closing directions. In the following, the cam mechanism will be specifically described.

The drive shaft 73 is provided with a cam 81 via a bearing mechanism (not shown). The index portion 74 is provided with a rotating shaft 82 at 4 positions so as to correspond to the movable claws 74. Each of the rotating shafts 82 is provided at a position apart from the driving shaft 73.

On the rotation shaft 82, a first lever 83 is mounted. A cam follower 84 that abuts the cam 81 is provided at the tip of the first lever 83. In addition, a second lever 85 is attached to the rotation shaft 82. Near the front end of the second lever 85, a projection 86 projecting from the movable claw 77 abuts.

Accordingly, when the cam follower 84 goes over the protruding portion (cam nose) of the cam 81, the first lever 83 and the rotary shaft 82 are rotationally displaced, and the second lever 85 is rotated. As a result, the second lever 85 presses the protruding portion 86, and the movable claw 77 slides in the opening direction against the tensile force of the coil spring 79.

The cam 81 is provided rotatably with respect to the drive shaft 73, and has a profile as shown in fig. 14. In addition, since the chuck device 78 passes the transfer position P4 (the right position in fig. 14), the cam follower 84 starts to ride over the protruding portion of the cam 81. Then, the opening amount of the movable claw 77 starts to increase due to the passing of the bottom end position.

Then, the opening amount of the movable claws 77 is maximized while the chuck device 78 reaches the transfer position P3 (the left position in fig. 14). Thereafter, the movable claw 77 starts to be closed urgently, and the PTP plate 1 can be gripped.

Further, as shown in fig. 3, a sheet conveying mechanism 92 is provided at a transfer position P4 where the PTP sheet 1 is transferred from the chuck conveying mechanism 35 to the stacking device 13. The sheet conveying mechanism 92 has a lever 93, a claw portion 94, and the like.

Then, the claw 94 performs a predetermined operation in conjunction with the operation of the chuck transport mechanism 35, and the

PTP group

1, 1 held by the chuck device 78 is transferred to the stacking device 13.

The two stacking devices 13 provided corresponding to the

conveyance paths

8L and 8R have the same configuration and are configured to synchronously perform the same operation. Therefore, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish between the two, 1 stacking apparatus 13 will be described.

The stacking device 13 includes a stacking mechanism (not shown) for stacking the

PTP groups

1, 1 in the wrapped state by a predetermined number of groups (for example, 5 groups by 10), and the stacking device 13 has a function of stacking the

PTP groups

1, 1 sequentially conveyed by a predetermined number of groups.

Next, a flow of overlapping PTP pieces 1 in a state of being looped in two groups in each of the

transport lanes

8L, 8R of the collecting mechanism 7 by a predetermined number of groups will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 3, the PTP sheets 1 conveyed from the blister packaging machine to the transfer position P1 are sequentially transferred 1 by 1 to the gripping devices 21(21A, 21B) of the reversing device 11 with the bag portions facing downward by the sheet conveying mechanism 10. Next, the reversing device 11 reverses the inside and outside of the sheets every 1, and conveys the sheets to the transfer position P2.

The clamping devices 21(21A, 21B) are provided such that their own intermediate portions in the width direction of the path are positioned on the center line C0 of the intermediate portions in the width direction of the

paths

8L, 8R (see fig. 5).

Then, the clamp device 21(21A, 21B) is set so as to grip the PTP sheet 1 such that the intermediate portion in the channel width direction thereof and the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the PTP sheet 1 overlap each other and grip the PTP sheet 1.

Then, at the transfer positions P1 and P2, the longitudinal middle portion of the PTP sheet 1 held by the clamp device 21 is positioned on the center line C0 of the

respective conveyance paths

8L and 8R (see fig. 5).

At the transfer position P2, the PTP sheet 1 in the state where the bag portion 2 is upward is first conveyed by the fixed clamp device 21A.

In response to this, in the looping transport device 12, the holder driving mechanism 38 is drive-controlled to move the holder 33 waiting at the predetermined reference position to the first position in the tunnel width direction. In a state where the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R) is waiting at the reference position, the intervals between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31 and the pair of lower holding slits 32, 32 are respectively a predetermined interval V corresponding to the length V in the longitudinal direction of the PTP piece 1.

Next, when the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R) moves from the reference position to the first position, the two holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in conjunction in the same direction while maintaining the predetermined interval. This operation control corresponds to the first alignment control of the present embodiment.

If this control is completed, the passage width direction intermediate portion C1 between the pair of lower holding slits 32, 32 is in a state where its position is aligned with the center line C0 of each

conveyance passage

8L, 8R.

Then, if the PTP sheet 1 is transferred to the transfer position P2 by the fixed clamp device 21A, the PTP sheet 1 is pressed from the fixed clamp device 21A by the sheet setting portion 34 (the pair of claw portions 69) and guided between the pair of lower holding slits 32, 32.

At this time, as shown in fig. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the intermediate portion D1 in the vertical direction of the PTP sheet 1 transferred from the fixed clamp device 21A and the intermediate portion C1 in the lane width direction between the pair of lower holding slits 32, 32 are in a state where their positions are aligned with the center lines C0 of the

transport lanes

8L, 8R.

The PTP sheet 1 pressed by the sheet setting unit 34 in this manner is transferred to be set at a predetermined lower setting position (transfer position P3) while supporting both longitudinal (y-direction) edge portions thereof in the lower holding slit 32 (see fig. 8 (b)).

Next, at the transfer position P2, the PTP piece 1 with the bag portion 2 facing downward is conveyed by the movable transfer device 21B.

In response to this, in the looping transport device 12, the holder driving mechanism 38 is drive-controlled to move the holder 33 located at the first position to the second position in the tunnel width direction by a predetermined dimension Δ y (the amount of displacement Δ y in the vertical direction of the PTP plate groups 1, 1). When the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R) moves from the reference position to the second position, the two holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in the same direction while maintaining the predetermined distance V between the pair of upper holding pieces 31 and the pair of

lower holding pieces

32 and 32. This operation control corresponds to the second alignment control of the present embodiment.

If this control is completed, the tunnel width direction intermediate portion C2 between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31 is in a state where its position is aligned with the center line C0 of each of the

conveyance tunnels

8L, 8R.

Further, if the PTP piece 1 is transported to the transfer position P2 by the movable clamp device 21B, the PTP piece 1 is pressed from the movable clamp device 21B by the piece setting portion 34 (the pair of claw portions 69), and the PTP piece 1 is guided between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31.

At this time, as shown in fig. 16 (a) and 16 (B), the vertical intermediate portion D2 of the PTP sheet 1 transferred from the movable clamp device 21B and the lane width direction intermediate portion C2 between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31 are positioned so as to align with the center lines C0 of the

transport lanes

8L, 8R.

The PTP sheet 1 pressed by the sheet setting unit 34 in this manner is transferred to and set at a predetermined upper setting position (transfer position P3) while supporting both longitudinal (y-direction) edge portions thereof in the upper holding slit 31 (see fig. 8 (b)).

Further, in the case of guiding the PTP sheet 1 into the upper holding slit 31, the PTP sheet 1 guided into the upper holding slit 31 is conveyed to the position advanced relative to the PTP sheet 1 guided into the lower holding slit 32 because the front-rear stroke of the sheet setting portion 34 is different from that in the case of guiding the PTP sheet 1 into the lower holding slit 32.

Further, since the intermediate portions of the holding slits 31, 32 are curved in the direction opposite to the direction of curling of the PTP sheet 1, the curved portions constitute resistance, and excessive movement of the PTP sheet 1 is suppressed. Thus, the PTP sheet can be appropriately stopped and held at a predetermined position.

Thus, the PTP sheets of the upper and lower two are in a state in which the pocket portions face each other, and are in a state in which the positions of the edge portions in the sheet longitudinal direction (y direction) are set to be shifted by the predetermined dimension Δ y, and the positions of the edge portions in the sheet transverse direction (x direction) are set to be shifted by the predetermined dimension Δ y.

If the setting of the upper and lower PTP sheets 1 is completed, the chuck device 78 of the chuck transport mechanism 35 toward the set position moves.

In response to this, in the looping transport device 12, the holder driving mechanism 38 is driven and controlled to move the holder 33 located at the second position to the 3 rd position in the tunnel width direction by a predetermined dimension Δ y/2 (half of the amount of displacement Δ y in the vertical direction of the PTP plate groups 1, 1).

When the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R) moves from the second position to the 3 rd position, the two holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in the same direction while maintaining the predetermined distance V between the pair of upper holding slits 31 and between the pair of lower holding slits 32 and 32. This operation control corresponds to the 3 rd registration control of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the "3 rd position" is set to the "reference position".

If this control is completed, the passage width direction intermediate portion C3 between the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R is in a state where its position is aligned with the center line C0 of each

conveyance passage

8L, 8R. That is, the passage width direction intermediate portion C3 between the upper holding slit 31 provided in one of the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R and the lower holding slit 32 provided in the other of the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R is in a state where its position is aligned with the center line C0.

At this time, as shown in fig. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the vertical direction intermediate portion D3 of the upper and lower PTP pieces 1(PTP piece groups 1, 1) and the tunnel width direction intermediate portion C3 between the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R, which are brought into the clasped state by the chuck device 78 (movable claws 77 and fixed claws 75), are in a state where their positions are aligned with the center line C0 of each of the

conveyance tunnels

8L, 8R.

Next, when the chuck device 78 reaches the transfer position P3, the upper PTP plates 1 and the lower PTP plates 1 are held by the chuck device 78 and are in the clasped state (see fig. 18). At this time, the cam 81 slightly rotates counterclockwise in fig. 14. Thus, the movable claws 77 are relatively moved in the direction approaching the fixed claws 75 because the cam follower 84 riding on the cam nose is controlled to descend.

At the same time, the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in the direction of opening each other, and the holding state of the longitudinal end edge portions of the PTP pieces 1 is released, whereby both PTP pieces are brought into a predetermined clasped state (see fig. 19).

The chuck device 78 (the fixed claws 75 and the movable claws 77) is provided such that its own intermediate portion in the lane width direction is positioned at the center line C0 of each of the

conveyance lanes

8L and 8R (see fig. 18 and the like).

Next, the chuck device 78 is set so as to hold the PTP plate groups 1, 1 (two PTP plates, upper and lower) such that the intermediate portion in the channel width direction thereof overlaps the intermediate portion D3 in the longitudinal direction of the

PTP plate groups

1, 1. Then, the longitudinally intermediate portion D3 of the

PTP sheet groups

1, 1 held by the chuck device 78 is in a state of being positioned on the center line C0 of the respective conveying

paths

8L, 8R.

Then, the

PTP sheet groups

1 and 1 held by the chuck device 78 are lifted up with the rotation of the indexing unit 74 and conveyed to the transfer position P4 (see fig. 20). At the same time, the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R move in the direction of closing each other, and the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R return to the reference position (3 rd position) and are in a standby state.

At the same time, the cam 81 is also rotated clockwise by the above-described rotation amount in accordance with the movement of the indexing section 74. Thereby, the cam 81 is also restored to the original position.

Further, the "first position" may be located at the "reference position". In this case, the operation control in the standby state is performed by returning the holder 33 from the "3 rd position" to the "reference position (first position)", thereby constituting the "first alignment control" of the present embodiment.

Next, if the

PTP group

1, 1 reaches the transfer position 4, the

PTP group

1, 1 is conveyed by the claw portion 94 of the sheet conveying mechanism 92 until the PTP group is in a state of being clasped at the stacking position 13.

Thereafter, the

PTP groups

1, 1 in the wrapped state are sequentially stacked by the stacking device 13 by repeating the above-described series of operations. Further, if a predetermined number of

PTP sheet groups

1, 1 are stacked inside the stacking device 13, the collective body (for example, a bundle of 5 PTP sheets 1 of 10) is sent from the stacking device 13 to the next packaging step. Next, in the packaging step, the collection is either pillow-packed or strapped by tape.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the PTP plates 1 are held in a predetermined relative positional relationship, and the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L and 36R) is provided so as to be displaceable in the passage width direction, and the position of the holder 33 in the passage width direction is adjustable in accordance with the object to be transferred between the reversing device 11 and the holder 33 or between the holder 33 and the chuck mechanism 35.

For example, when the "first PTP sheet 1 with the bag portion 2 facing upward" is transferred from the reversing device 11 to the holder 33, the position of the holder 33 is adjusted so that the "first PTP sheet 1" can be received between the pair of lower holding slits 32, with the passage width direction intermediate portion C1 between the pair of lower holding slits 32, 32 positioned on the center line C0 of the

conveyance passages

8L, 8R (the vertical direction intermediate portion D1 of the "first PTP sheet" transferred from the reversing device 11).

Similarly, when the "second PTP sheet 1 with the bag portion 2 facing down" is transferred from the reversing device 11 to the holder 33, the position of the holder 33 is adjusted so that the "second PTP sheet 1" can be received between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31 in such a manner that the passage width direction intermediate portion C2 between the pair of upper holding slits 31, 31 is positioned on the center line C0 of each of the conveying

passages

8L, 8R (the vertical direction intermediate portion D2 of the "second PTP sheet 1" transferred from the reversing device 11).

When the "two PTP pieces 1 on the upper and lower sides in the clasping state" are transferred from the holder 33 to the chuck mechanism 35, the position of the holder 33 is adjusted so that the chuck mechanism 35 can grip the vertical intermediate portion D3 of the "two PTP pieces 1 on the upper and lower sides (PTP piece groups 1, 1)" at the center line C0 of the

conveyance paths

8L, 8R, with the passage width direction intermediate portion C3 between the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R being positioned at the center line C0 of the

conveyance paths

8L, 8R.

Thus, even in the case of a PTP sheet of a product type in which the amount of displacement of the longitudinal edge portions of the sheet is large when the PTP sheet is in the wrapped state, such as PTP sheet 1 (ear-less PTP sheet), for example, the PTP sheet can be held and held by the reversing device 11, the holder 33, and the chuck device 35 in a state in which the position of the longitudinal intermediate portion is aligned with the center line C0 of each of the conveying

paths

8L, 8R with the longitudinal intermediate portion as a reference, and the PTP sheet 1 can be appropriately transferred from the reversing device 11 to the holder 33 and the PTP sheet 1 from the holder 33 to the chuck mechanism 35.

The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and can be implemented as follows. Obviously, other application examples and modification examples not listed below are of course possible.

(a) Although the above embodiment is embodied in the case where the content is the tablet 5, the type, shape, and the like of the content are not particularly limited, and, for example, the content may be filled with a nutritional supplement, a food, an electronic device, and the like. Obviously, the shape, size, and the like of the bag portion 2 formed corresponding to the contents are not limited to the above embodiment.

(b) The raw materials of the container film 3 and the cover film 4, the number, arrangement, shape, etc. of the pockets 2, and the structure of the PTP sheet 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiment (2 rows of 10 pockets).

For example, the container film 3 may be formed of a metal material mainly made of aluminum, such as a laminated film. For example, PTP sheets having various arrangements and numbers, including a type having 3 rows and 1 two pockets 2, are used. Obviously, it is also possible to form a structure in which the transverse slits (slits for slitting 3a) in the sheet transverse direction are omitted, a structure in which slits in the longitudinal direction (slits for slitting in the sheet longitudinal direction) are formed instead of the transverse slits (slits for slitting 3a), or both of them.

In the above embodiment, the auricless PTP sheet 1 having no ear portion is the subject of the work, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a PTP sheet with an ear portion may be the subject of the work.

It is obvious that the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiments are achieved when the two PTP pieces having ears are wrapped so that the orientation of the ear portions is the same as the orientation in the sheet longitudinal direction, and even when the two PTP pieces having ears are wrapped so that the orientation of the ear portions is different from the orientation in the sheet longitudinal direction as in the conventional case, the displacement amount of the edge portions in the sheet longitudinal direction of the two PTP pieces having ears is large in the wrapped state.

(c) The manner of clasping the two PTP sheets 1 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, the

PTP sheet groups

1, 1 of the above embodiment are set in advance such that the positions of the end edge portions in the vertical direction (y direction) of the two PTP sheets 1 in the wrapped state are shifted by a predetermined dimension Δ y and the positions of the end edge portions in the horizontal direction (x direction) of the two PTP sheets 1 are shifted by a predetermined dimension Δ x.

For example, the end edge portions in the transverse direction (x direction) of the two PTP sheets 1 in the clasped state may not have a predetermined offset dimension.

(d) The collecting mechanism 7 of the above embodiment is provided with two

transport paths

8L and 8R for transporting PTP sheets 1, and the clasping transport devices 12 of the

transport paths

8L and 8R operate in synchronization.

The number of the transfer paths for transferring the PTP sheet 1 may be 1, or 3 or more. Further, the looping transport device 12 and the like of each

transport path

8L, 8R may be configured to operate independently.

(e) The configurations of the transfer mechanism and the receiving mechanism are not limited to the reversing device 11 and the chuck transport device 35 of the above-described embodiment.

For example, the reversing device 11 of the above embodiment is configured to rotate and convey the PTP pieces 1 received at the transfer position P1 to the transfer position P2 while reversing the inner and outer surfaces thereof every 1 piece. For example, a transfer mechanism may be employed which transports the PTP sheet 1 by suction and transfers it to the holder 33.

Further, a mechanism may be adopted in which the first PTP sheet 1 "in the state in which the bag portion 2 faces upward is transferred to the holder 33 and a mechanism in which the second PTP sheet 1" in the state in which the bag portion 2 faces downward is transferred to the holder 33.

According to this aspect, for example, it is more effective when the PTP sheet with ears is in the wrapped state such that the orientation of the ears is the same as the longitudinal direction of the sheet.

However, in the following aspect, it is preferable that the reversing mechanism such as the reversing device 11 of the above-described embodiment is used as the transfer mechanism, in which the PTP pieces 1 conveyed to the transfer position P1 with the respective discharge portions of the blister packaging machine sequentially facing in a certain direction (with the bag portions 2 facing downward in the above-described embodiment) can be reversed inside and outside every 1, and the above-described "first PTP piece 1" and the above-described "second PTP piece 1" can be alternately transferred to the holder 33.

(f) The structure of the holding mechanism is not limited to the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R) of the above embodiment.

For example, the amount of positional displacement Δ Y in the channel width direction (Y direction) of the upper holding slit 31 and the lower holding slit 32 of the holding

pieces

36L and 36R may be changed.

According to this structure, it is possible to correspond to PTP sheets of different types, and versatility is improved.

According to the embodiment described above, even in the case of PTP sheets of different kinds, since the position of the vertically intermediate portion of the PTP sheet can always be aligned with the center line C0 of the conveying

paths

8L, 8R, the PTP sheets can be smoothly transferred from the reversing device 11 to the holder 33 and the PTP sheets 1 can be smoothly transferred from the holder 33 to the chuck conveying mechanism 35. In other words, the center lines C0 of the

transport paths

8L and 8R can be used as references to correspond to various PTP sheets.

In addition, if the PTP sheet is held in a state in which the amount of displacement Δ y of the longitudinal edge portions of the sheet is the same as that in the above embodiment, the holder 33 (the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R) can be used as it is without regard to the type of PTP sheet by merely changing the interval between the pair of holding

pieces

36L, 36R.

(g) As a means for holding the two PTP pieces 1, which are the upper and lower pieces, in a predetermined relative positional relationship, there is considered a means which includes a pair of upper holding pieces in the channel width direction having the upper holding slits 31 and a pair of lower holding pieces in the channel width direction having the lower holding slits 32, and controls them individually.

However, in the case of this proposal, it is obvious that the structure and control are complicated, and since the driving control is performed separately from the upper and lower sides, there is a risk that a cohesion error (a displacement equal to or larger than a predetermined displacement dimension) occurs in the

PTP plate groups

1, 1 in the cohesive state due to the error or the like.

Since the dimension of misalignment of the two PTP pieces 1 in the wrapped state is determined in advance by the product model, if the relative positional relationship of the

PTP piece groups

1, 1 is misaligned, there is a risk that subsequent steps are hindered, for example, by not being able to properly pillow-pack the PTP pieces.

In this respect, according to the embodiment described above, it is preferable to control the operation of the mechanism integrally including the upper holding slit 31 and the lower holding slit 32, such as the

target holding pieces

36L and 36R.

(h) In the above embodiment, the position of the holder 33 is adjusted so as to correspond to the object (the "first PTP sheet 1 in the state in which the bag portion 2 faces upward", the "second PTP sheet 1 in the state in which the bag portion 2 faces downward", or the "two upper and lower PTP sheets in the clasped state") passed between the reversing device 11 and the holder 33 and between the holder 33 and the chuck transport mechanism 35, and the longitudinally intermediate portion of the object is positioned at the center line C0 of the

transport paths

8L, 8R.

Without being limited thereto, the position of the holder 33 may be adjusted so that the object can be transferred at least between the reversing device 11 and the holder 33, or between the holder 33 and the chuck transport mechanism 35.

However, although the various objects are transferred so that the vertical intermediate portions of the various objects maintain the center line C0 at ordinary times, a series of clasping work can be smoothly performed. As a result, productivity can be improved.

Description of reference numerals:

reference numeral 1 denotes a PTP slice;

reference numeral 2 denotes a bag portion;

reference numeral 7 denotes a pooling mechanism;

reference numerals

8L, 8R denote conveyance paths;

reference numeral 11 denotes a reversing device;

reference numeral 12 denotes a cohesion conveyance device;

reference numeral 13 denotes a stacking device;

reference numeral 21(21A, 21B) denotes a clamping device;

reference numeral 31 denotes an upper holding slit;

reference numeral 32 denotes a lower holding slit;

reference numeral 33 denotes a cage;

reference numeral 34 denotes a slice setting section;

reference numeral 35 denotes a chuck transport mechanism;

reference numerals

36L, 36R denote holding pieces;

reference numerals

37L and 37R denote protruding portions;

reference numeral 38 denotes a cage driving mechanism;

reference numeral 78 denotes a chuck device;

reference numeral C0 denotes the center line of the conveyance path;

reference numeral C1 denotes a passage width direction intermediate portion between the pair of lower holding slits;

reference numeral C2 denotes a passage width direction intermediate portion between the pair of upper holding slits;

reference numeral C3 denotes a sheet width direction intermediate portion between the pair of holding sheets;

reference numerals D1, D2 denote the longitudinally intermediate portions of the PTP sheets;

reference numeral D3 denotes the longitudinally intermediate portions of the upper and lower PTP plates (PTP plate groups);

symbol V represents the longitudinal length of the PTP sheet;

the symbol Δ y represents the amount of misalignment in the longitudinal direction of the PTP sheet group.

Claims

1. A PTP looping apparatus that puts PTP pieces having bag portions that receive contents into a two-piece looping state, characterized by comprising:

a transfer mechanism capable of transferring the PTP slice in a state in which the PTP slice is in a predetermined direction along a line width direction of a predetermined slice transport line;

a holding mechanism having: a pair of lower sheet holding portions provided in the line width direction so as to hold end edge portions in the predetermined direction of the first PTP sheet with the bag portion facing upward; a pair of upper-sheet holding portions which are provided in the line width direction so as to be able to hold an end edge portion in the predetermined direction of a second PTP sheet in a state in which the bag portion faces downward, the holding mechanism being provided so as to be able to hold the first PTP sheet and the second PTP sheet in a predetermined relative positional relationship and to be able to be displaced in the line width direction;

and a position adjusting mechanism that can adjust a position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction in accordance with an object to be transferred between the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism or between the holding mechanism and the receiving mechanism.

2. A PTP cohesion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned transfer mechanism is configured in such a manner that: a PTP slice that can be handed over in a state in which an intermediate portion of the PTP slice in the predetermined direction is positioned at an intermediate portion of the PTP slice in the line width direction of the slice transport line;

the position adjusting mechanism is configured to be capable of adjusting the position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction, in a manner that: an intermediate portion of the object in the predetermined direction is positioned at an intermediate portion in a line width direction of the sheet transport line in accordance with the object transferred between the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism or between the holding mechanism and the receiving mechanism.

3. A PTP looping apparatus that puts PTP pieces having bag portions that receive contents into a two-piece looping state, characterized by comprising:

a transfer mechanism capable of transferring the PTP slice in a state in which an intermediate portion of the PTP slice in a predetermined direction is positioned at an intermediate portion of a predetermined slice conveying line in a line width direction;

a holding mechanism having: a pair of lower sheet holding portions provided in the line width direction so as to hold end edge portions in the predetermined direction of the first PTP sheet with the bag portion facing upward; a pair of upper-piece holding portions which are provided in the line width direction so as to hold end edge portions in the predetermined direction of the second PTP piece in a state in which the bag portion faces downward, the holding mechanism being provided so as to be able to hold the first PTP piece and the second PTP piece in a predetermined relative positional relationship and to be able to be displaced in the line width direction;

a position adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the position of the holding mechanism in the line width direction;

the position adjusting mechanism can perform the following control,

and a 3 rd alignment control of aligning the position of the intermediate portion in the predetermined direction of the PTP pieces of the two sets of PTP pieces with the intermediate portion in the line width direction of the piece conveying line when the PTP pieces of the two sets of PTP pieces composed of the first PTP piece and the second PTP piece are received from the holding mechanism to the receiving mechanism in the 3 rd alignment control.

4. A PTP clasping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of the sheet transport lines are provided in parallel in the line width direction;

the position adjusting mechanism is configured to be capable of simultaneously adjusting the positions of the plurality of holding mechanisms of the plurality of sheet transport lines.

5. A PTP clasping device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the PTP sheet, a distance from one of both end edge portions in the predetermined direction to the bag portion which is the shortest distance in the predetermined direction is substantially the same as a distance from the other end edge portion to the bag portion which is the shortest distance in the predetermined direction.